Brush handles



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A. 0. ESTABROOK. MAGHINE FORGRAVING BRUSH HANDLES,

Patented July 4, 1882..

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I A. 0. ESTABR'OOK. MACHINE FOR GRAVING BRUSH HANDLES;

No.260,378'.. Pateilted July 4; 1882,. V

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V A. 0. E STABROOK. MACHINE. FOR GRAVING BRUSH HANDLES; No. 260,378. IPatented July 4,1882.

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ATTE'aT- INVENTUFV N. PETERS. Fhomlilhogm her. Washington. D. C.

UNITED STATES ATENT. @FFICET...

ALANSON C. ESTABROOK, OF FLORENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THEFLORENCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR GRAVING BRUSH-HANDLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 260,378, dated July 4,1882. Application filed January 17, 1882. (No model.)

I To all whom it may concern:

and I do hereby declare that the following speci-' lication, taken inconnection with the drawin gs furnished and forming a part of the same,is a clear, true, and complete description of my invention.

Although machines embodying my several improvements are applicable inthe manufacgraving of the tooth-brush handle is the last operationthereon prior to the insertion of the bristles, and if the graving beimproperly performed it results in a loss of the material and the laboralready expended. The tools heretofore employed for the purpose havebeen, so far as my knowledge extends, of 'sucha character that onlyhighly-skilled workmen could be depended upon for performing thisoperation, and even then the losses accruing from had work were greaterthan those resulting from failures in all preceding operations. Asheretofore practiced in-all cases, so far as is known to me, the eye ofthe skilled workman has alone been relied upon for determining thelocation and curvature of the graving-lines, and this often resulted ina lack of desirable uniformity in their relations to each other and tothe edges of the head, even although said lines were sufficiently welllocated with reference to the lines of bristle-holes to enable thebristles to be strongly secured by means of the wires usually employedfor that purpose; but it frequently occurs that the slots and holes donot thus coincide.

The objects of my invention are to enable the operation of grav-ing tobe cheaply per formed by persons of ordinary skill and intelligence withgreater accuracy andlessliability of loss from imperfect gravin g thanheretofore.

The heads of tooth-brush handles as heretofore made have lacked thatuniformity of edge contour which would enable the edges thereof to berelied upon as gage-surfaces for determining the exactly-proper locationof each graved line or each line of bristle-holes with which the gravedlines should coincide as accurately as possible for mounting bristles inthe best manner. In my machine the edge contour of thehead is whollyrelied upon as a gaging-surface, because the bone blanks from which anyparticular style of handle is developed are truly uniform in edgecontour, especially at the head thereof, said blanks being produced byme in accordance withcertain inventions heretofore made by me, andhaving outlines from which no material departure need be made infinishing the blanks into handles.

After fully describing a graving-machine as organized by me, inconnection with such variations therein as may be made withoutmaterially affecting the results sought, the features deemed novel willbe specified in the several claims hereunto annexed.

My machine embodies a graving-tool which is preferably a small circularsaw specially adapted to the purpose, a clamp adapted to firmly hold thehandles by edgewise contact therewith, and a bed for the clamp pivotedat one or at two points, whereby the clamp and a handle held thereby maybe moved in a truly circular line or lines, and arranged at the endadjacent to the clamp to drop from beneath the graying-tool at thetermination of each out. As two of the four slots in each handle arecurved in one direction and the other two in the opposite direction, aright and a left hand machine are requisite; but these may be socombined on one bed as to enable one' sawarbor to be employed for twosaws, one at each end thereof.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents in side elevation adouble machine embodying the several features of my invention. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section of theclamp-bed detached. Fig. 4 is a side View of a lockingbolt detached fromthe clamp-bed. Fig. 5 is a top and sectional view of a bored handle asgraved on my machine.

The graving-saws A are each substantially as heretofore; but I know ofno prior machine for this purpose wherein two saws were mounted uponopposite ends of the same arbor, a. The arbor is provided with aband-pulley, and its boxes I) are preferably pivotally mounted incollars c, which are in turn secured by adjustable pivotal connectionsto suitable standards, d. This is a common and desirable method ofmounting rapidly-driven arbors, and although other simpler constructionsmay be employed, this is deemed preferable by me.

The clamp-bed may be variably constructed. It designed for cutting butone curved slot, it is provided with but one pivot or axis, located at adistance from the graving-tool equal to one-half the diameter of thecircle of which the desired curved slot is an arc but when two slots ofdifferent curvatures are to be cut by the use of the same clamp and bedthe latter is composed of two parts, both of which are moved as one onone pivot in making the cut of the greater curve, and for describing thelesser curve the outer part only is used, that being independentlypivoted to the inner part of the bed, which remains stationary upon itspivot.

Theclamp-bed B, as here shown, is sectional, in that it is mainlycomposed of two plates of sheet-steel, and is laterally hinged at itsrear end, as at e, to a yoke, f, provided with a vertical pivot orspindle, g, which is well fitted to a vertical hollow post, h, mountedon a bedplate or bench. The center of the pivotg is located in exactline with the axis of the sawarbor, and at such distance from the saw aswill enable the outer end of the bed to move in the are desired. Thefitting of the pivot to its post and of the joint of the lateral hingeis such that the outer end of the bed is limited to horizontal andvertical movements.

The outer plate, 2', of the bed is connected to the inner plate, i, bymeans of a locking-bolt, k, of peculiar construction, which not onlyfirmly unites the two plates when they, as a whole, are moved on thespindle 9, but also serves as a pivotal connection as between saidplates, when the bed is not moved on said spindle, and said bolt furtherlocks the outer plate t, against any vertical movement independently ofthe inner plate, and, still further, it limits the inner plate to avertical movement on its hinge, while the outer plate is free to swinglaterally, and, finally, it accurately advances and retires the plate alongitudinally upon plate 2" for properly spacing the twodifferently-curved slots as cut by the saw under the two conditions ofadjustment. This locking-bolt k is shown detached in Fig. 4. Beneath itshead its shank at k is eccentric to its axis, and this portion thereoffully occupies a circular hole in the upper or outerplate, 1', so thatwhen said bolt is partially rotated in one direction the platei is movedlongitudinally upon plate '6, thus retiring the outer end from the saw adistance exactly equal to the space between the curved slots, and whenpartially rotated in the opposite direction it advances the plate i sothat its outer end will occupy such relations to the saw as will providefor cutting the slot of the larger curve, and when thus advanced a stud,(projecting vertically from plate 17,) occupies a recess, 70 in one sideof the curved slot is in plate 1', thus locking the two plates againstindependent lateral movement, the broad bearing of the head of the boltserving to prevent the lifting of plate i independently of plate 1'.

At the lower end of the bolt is a horizontal arm, 70 havingapendentstud, k, which moves in a circular path when the bolt is turned,and this co-operates with astandard, I, mounted on the bench orbed-plate, and having a horizontal top slotted from one end to receivethe pendent stud when the bolt is so turned as to unlock the two plates,and it thus prevents the bed from turning laterally on its pivot g,while permitting it to freely rise and fall on its hinge, said studmoving vertically in the open slot. When the bolt is so turned as tolock the two plates together the crankarm is swung forward, and the pathdescribed by it in moving with the bed on its main spindle or pivot liesoutside of or beyond the slotted standard I. The top of bolt k may havea serrated periphery for readily grasping it; or it may, as shown, beprovided with adiametrical fingerpm.

The outer end of the clamp-bed is provided with a clamp, whereby thehead of the handle maybe securely held in the exactly proper positionwith relation to the saw. This clamp may be variously constructed; butit must be arranged to engage edgewise with the head of a handle, andhave the outer clamp-edge conform in contour with the edges of the headsto be graved, so that said edges may serve as gage-surfaces forassuredly locating the line of each slot, and said clamp should also atone end thereof be provided with a surface against which the front endof the head will engage for readily gaging the proper longitudinalposition of the head within the clamp.

The clamp B, as here shown, embodies a strong bow-spring, m, of suchform that one side of the clamp is integral therewith; but a clampoperated by a screw or by a cam-lever maybeemployed with good results.Thespringclamp shown is specially convenient as to putting in and takinghandles therefrom, and it can be safely relied upon because of theuniformityin outline ofthe heads clamped therein, and the consequentuniformity of engaging contact; but although I prefer the springclamp 1do not limit myself thereto, except as indicated in the claims hereuntoannexed.

As will be seen in Fig. 5, the two outer slots are reversely curved incorresponding lines, and the two inner slots are similarily curved,although in arcs of a smaller circle than the outer slots, and each slotcoincides longitudinally with the center of a correspondinglyof theslots.

It will also be seen that each slot terminates at the neck of thehandle, and therefore I provide such a bearing-plate as will permit thebed to drop when the end of the cut is reached, and to prevent the bedfrom dropping to the bed-plate or bench, and for affording asupportingsurface on which the bed may be drawn backward to the front, Iprovide a supplemental bearing-plate below the upper one. As arranged byme, these bearing-plates are mounted horizontally upon the, front of anarbor-standard, d,- but they may have a special standard. 7 Thebearing-plate O is above and parallel with the supplementalbearing-plate C, and the plate 0 is mounted on screw-posts provided withset-nuts, whereby said plate may be adjustably set with reference to thesaw, so that when the clam ping-bed rests thereon, with a handle dulyclamped, the saw will make a cut of the exact depth required, and thisad 0 justment also provides for the compensation for wear of the saw bywhich its diameter is reduced. As here constructed, the bearingplate 0,as a whole, has considerable area; but only a small rectangular portionthereof, as at 11, serves to actually support the clampingbed, and theedge a of said portion nearest the saw is so located that when theclampbed has been moved sufiiciently to complete the cut it will dropfrom said. edge to the supplemental bearing-plate upon which said bed isdrawn backward and adjusted for making the second cut. If the outer slotbe first cut, followed by cutting the inner slot, the bed is left at thelatter adjustment for first cutting the inner slot on the next handle,followed by cuttingthe outer slot, and so on, using the bed alternatelyunder its two adjustments. Having thus out two of the slots with onesaw, the other two stops are cut in another machine, or, if a doublemachine be employed, as shown, with the saw on the opposite end of thearbor.

I am well aware that several clamping-beds may be mounted on ahorizontal revolving disk; but in that case neither bed need have thelocking-bolt and separate outer plate, because two interchangeable disksof the required diameter would be necessarily employed if used in onemachine, or a separate machine would be required for cutting each slot.

The pivoted clamp-bed and the saw may be relied upon for slottingwithout the bearingplate; but this necessitates skill and care by theworkman in graduating the depth ,of the cut, although the slots would bemore accu-' rately located and more properly curved than would bepossible if the eye of the workman were alone relied upon, asheretofore.

The fact that I operate on' handles which have heads precisely alike intheir lateral dimensions, thickness, and contour, enables me to notonl yaccurately execute curved-line graving, as described, but it alsoenables me to employ certain features of my invention for slottingstraight heads in straight and parallel lines with better and moreuniform results than with slotting-saws for that purpose as heretoforeconstructed and operated. For instance, four or more parallel saws,properly spaced and mounted upon an arbor, have heretofore been employedby me with a bed-plate upon which the head of the handle rested whilethe head was advanced beneath the saws; but no gagesurfaces have beenheretofore employed for guiding thevhead, because these latter have notbeen truly uniform, and this has necessitated great skill and care bythe workman in properly locating by aid of his eye the outer saws withreference to the edges of the head; and if this be not accurately donethe even and finished effect desired is not obtained, nor are the slotsin accurate coincidence with the rows of bristle-holes. With such saws,my

clam p, having a gage-surface, and my bed, having the same verticalmovement, can be Worked with absolutely uniform results, and withoutloss from bad graving, even by inexperienced hands, it being onlyrequisite that the clampbed instead of being pivoted as for curvedgraving be mounted upon a sliding carriage limited to movements exactlyparallel with the planes of the saws, and with such a clamp and bed thebearing-plate could be employed with results as satisfactory as with thepivoted bed, and with the clamping-bed thus mounted the bearing-platecan be profitably employed. for causing the bed to drop at the propermoment for limiting the length of cut, thus placing the gravingoperation practically within the capacity of unskilled labor andordinary intelligence.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. The combination, substantially as hereinbeforedescribed, of the graving-tool, a clamp provided with gaging-surfacesfor engaging laterallywith the head of a tooth-brush handle, and aclamp-bed limited in its horizontal movements to the line of gravingdesired by mechanism substantially as described.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described,'of thegraving-tool, a clamp for engaging laterally with the head of a handle,a clamp-bed limited by mechanism, sub stantially as described, in itshorizontal movements to the line of cut desired, and a supporting-platewhich maintains the clamp-bed in proper relations to the graving-toolwhile cutting and permits the bed to drop at the termination of the cut.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of asuitable slotting or graving tool for cutting wire-slots in tooth-brushhandles, a clamp for engaging with the edges of the head of a handle,and a clamp-bed pivotally mounted at its rear end, whereby the head of ahandle may be passed longitudinally beneath the graving-tool and slottedin a curved line on the back thereof, as set forth.

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of theslotting-saw, the pivoted clamp-bed, its clamp, and the bearingplate formaintaining the outer end of the bed and a brush-handle in the clamp ata proper distance below the slotting-tool to insure a proper and uniformdepth of cut, as set forth.

5. The combination, substantiallyas hereinbefore described, of theslotting-tool, clamp and clamp-bed, and a bearing-plate for one end ofthe bed, which is vertically adjustable for varying the adjustment as todepth of cut and compensating for wear of the slotting-tool, as setforth.

6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of theslotting-tool, clamp, the laterally and vertically pivoted clamp-bed,and the bearing-plate.

7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of thegravin g-tool, the clam p, the horizontally and vertically pivotedclampbed constructed in sections independently pivoted to each other,and a lock for uniting said sections and permitting longitudinaladjustment of the outer section.

8. The combination, with the two clamp-bed sections, of the eccentriclocking-bolt for advancin g or retiring the outer section of the bed,and pivoting said outer section orlocking it to the inner sectionaccording to its required adjustment, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the clamp-bed pivoted as to horizontal andvertical movements, and constructed in longitudinal sectionsindependently pivoted together, of a locking device, substantially asdescribed, which limits the inner of the bed-sections to its verticalmovement, while the outer section is horizontally movable on its pivot,substantially as de scribed.

10. The combination of the clamp-bed constructed in two sections pivotedtogether, and the locking-bolt operating as a pivot for the outersection and having an eccentric shank, and a crank-shaped armco-operating with a standard. with which said arm engages, for lockingthe inner section against horizontal movement while permitting the freevertical movement of the outer end of the bed, substantially asdescribed.

ALANSON O. ESTABROOK.

Witnesses:

H. K. PARSONS, ELEAZAR BRYANT.

